.ZIP Application Note

PKWARE® introduced the ZIP format in 1989. This new format combined data compression, file management, and data encryption within a portable archive format. ZIP quickly became the accepted industry standard for cross-platform data exchange and efficient data storage. In order to ensure the continued interoperability of the .ZIP file format for all users, PKWARE publishes an Application Note on the .ZIP file format. The APPNOTE provides developers a general description and technical details of the .ZIP specification. This specification is maintained and periodically updated by PKWARE with support from interested industry experts and other users of this format. These changes are intended to include new capabilities in anticipation of the emerging needs of the ZIP community, while ensuring on-going interoperability for ZIP files. If your developing applications using the .ZIP format, take a look at our Application Developer Considerations.

The .ZIP format remains one of the most widely used file formats for cross-platform interoperability. Leading industry standards including the ECMA Office Open XML and the OASIS Open Document Format for Office Applications incorporate ZIP technology. Other major industry standards incorporating ZIP include the JAVA JAR specification, Sharable Content Object Reference Model (ADL-SCORM) and EPUB. These other industry standards are independently maintained by separate organizations that are not affiliated with PKWARE. Please consult with the appropriate authoring group for additional information about their respective specifications.

This APPNOTE specification may be referenced in other specifications that may benefit from this technology providing the authors of those specifications work to ensure the on-going interoperability of this format. Some ZIP technology is covered by patents or pending patents. If your application requires use of ZIP technology that is covered under a patent, PKWARE does provide reasonable and non discriminatory licensing. The free license grant offered in prior APPNOTE publications has been discontinued. To submit requests for information on licensing or enhancements please email zipformat@pkware.com. To review or comment on proposed additions that may appear in the next, or future, editions of this format, view Proposed ZIP Format Specification Additions.